WOODS HOLE

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Latest news

Three employees tested positive for COVID-19

The SSA announced that an employee who worked on the Nantucket route on Aug 28 had tested positive for the virus. The man last worked on the 'Woods Hole', which was servicing Nantucket, on a shift that ended at 11:30 p.m. He worked on the same shift as an employee who tested positive for the virus on Aug 29. He had also worked on the freight ferry 'Governor' earlier in the morning, which only plies the Vineyard route. Both were tested for the virus over the weekend. One received results in the evening of Aug 29; the other received results on Aug 31. Neither employee worked after receiving their test, although hthe employee who tested positive on Aug 29 did work earlier in the morning, before getting tested. A third employee had previously tested positive for the virus on Aug 28. He had last worked on a shift for the 'Woods Hole' that ended on Aug 26 in Hyannis. All three employees who tested positive were customer-facing staff who worked on the vessels. They were unlikely to have prolonged contact with the public considering their roles on the ship.

Crew member tested positive for COVID 19

A Steamship Authority employee who worked on the 'Woods Hole' has tested positive for COVID-19 on Aug 27, 2020. The ferry that left from Hyannis for Martha’s Vineyard at noon on Aug. 25, and arrived back in Hyannis on Aug 26 around 11:30 a.m. The employee was unlikely to have any prolonged exposure with any member of the public during the work hours. The Steamship Authority was working closely with public health officials in Barnstable County to guide its efforts to share information and public health recommendations with passengers and Steamship employees who may have come into contact with the employee. An electrostatic sprayer dispensed hospital-grade disinfectants on board the 'Woods Hole' in the afternoon of Aug 27. The cleaning was performed in addition to daily precautionary measures such as disinfecting all high-touch areas.

Terminal closed after departure of ferry for cleaning after positive COVID-19 test

The Steamship Authority temporarily closed its Woods Hole terminal in night of May 12, 2020, after an employee reported that they were being tested for COVID-19. The facility was closed after the 8:30 p.m. departure of the 'Woods Hole' to allow a thorough cleaning and disinfecting. The employee, who last worked at the facility this past weekend, reported to Authority staff on MAy 12 that they were getting tested after feeling ill. Notifications were made to other Authority personnel who may have come into contact with the employee. The SSA was also working to determine if that person came into close contact with any passengers. In accordance with the Authority’s COVID-19 guidelines, the employee in question has not returned to work and will not until the test results have beem received. While the company has been following advanced cleaning protocols at all its facilities and on board its vessels, the extra cleaning was ordered out of an abundance of caution. The work was expected to include a wipe down of high-touch surfaces and a disinfecting fogger. Cleaning of high-touch surfaces at the terminal’s ticket booth and inside the freight building were also performed. The terminal was scheduled to reopen om the morning of May 13, in time for the first scheduled departure of the day, the 6 a.m. departure of the Woods Hole.